The example of <i>The Century</i> has been followed in the
inclusion of sundry scientific names, especially those of
genera or Natural Orders of purely Australasian objects.
Although it is quite true that these can hardly be described as
Australasian <i>English</i>, it is believed that the course
adopted will be for the general convenience of those who
consult this Dictionary.
Some of these "Neo-Latin" and "Neo-Greek" words are
extraordinary in themselves and obscure in their origin, though
not through antiquity. In his <i>Student's Pastime</i>, at
p. 293, Dr. Skeat says "Nowhere can more ignorant etymologies
be found than in works on Botany and `scientific' subjects.
Too often, all the science is reserved for the subject, so that
there is none to spare for explaining the names."
A generous latitude has also been taken in including some words
undoubtedly English, but not exclusively Australasian, such as
<i>Anabranch</i>, and <i>Antipodes</i>, and some mining and
other terms that are also used in the United States.
Convenience of readers is the excuse. <i>Anabranch</i> is more
frequently used of Australian rivers than of any others, but
perhaps a little pride in tracking the origin of the word has
had something to do with its inclusion. Some words have been
inserted for purposes of explanation, e.g. <i>Snook</i>, in
Australasia called <i>Barracouta</i>, which latter is itself an
old name applied in Australasia to a different fish; and
<i>Cavally</i>, which is needed to explain <i>Trevally</i>.